In fall 1989, Ikeda was hired by Honda, working at the automaker's advanced design studio in Tokyo.[1] While in Japan, he contributed to the design of the award-winning 1991 Honda FS-X concept, as well as the first generation Acura RL.[1][5]
In 1995, he was relocated to Honda R&D Americas.[5] Upon returning to the United States, he was named design project leader of the 2001 Honda Civic coupe, and was lead designer of the 2004 Acura TL, the best-selling Acura model of all time.[1][5] In his role as chief designer and division director, Ikeda was instrumental in the construction of the Acura Design Studio in 2007.[5]
In July 2015, Ikeda was promoted to vice president and general manager of Acura.[3] In his new role, he was credited with reinvigorating the Acura brand with a renewed focus on design.[5]
On April 1, 2019, he was named brand officer of Acura.[1]
In April 2024, he was named senior vice president of Honda Racing Corporation USA.[1]